REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS
CHIPS Community Support Market Study
Southern Colorado Economic Development District (SCEDD) is requesting proposals from qualified vendors or individuals to assist SCEDD staff in the development of a CHIPS (Creating Helpful Incentives to Produce Semiconductors) Community Support Market Study for a nine-county area, which consists of Baca, Bent, Chaffee, Crowley, Custer, Huerfano, Kiowa, Otero, and Prowers Counties, and related communities.
This project is supported by a Colorado CHIPS Community Support Program Market Study Grant. Proposals will be accepted until SEPTEMBER 30, 2025. Proposals may be delivered via mail or e-mail:
Southern Colorado Economic Development District
Attn: Leslie Mastroianni
301 N. Main Street, Pueblo, Colorado 81003
leslie@scedd.com
If sent via email, include as subject line: CHIPS Market Study Response.
Only proposals received (not postmarked) by the deadline will be accepted. No proposals which are received after the time and date stated above will be considered, and any proposals received after the scheduled closing time and date mentioned above shall be returned to the submitting vendor unopened.
The contract will be made with SCEDD and SCEDD will award the contract based on the evaluation criteria contained in the RFP. SCEDD reserves the right to accept or reject any or all proposals, to waive informalities and to reserve any RFPs. SCEDD also reserves the right to award the contract as it deems it will best serve its interests.
REQUIREMENTS
RFP Name: CHIPS Community Support Market Study
TERMS: The following terms will apply to this RFP and to any subsequent contract. Submission of a proposal in response to this RFP indicates acceptance of all the following terms:
- "Contract" means the written agreement resulting from this RFP executed by SCEDD.
- "Consultant” means the successful Applicant to this RFP who executes a written Contract with SCEDD."SCEDD" means Southern Colorado Economic Development District.
- "Region" means the geographic area that encompasses SCEDD, including the counties of Baca, Bent, Chaffee, Crowley, Custer, Huerfano, Kiowa, Otero, and Prowers Counties of Colorado.
- "Firm", "Proposer", "Vendor", or "Bidder" means an individual or a company that submits, or intends to submit, a proposal in response to this "RFP”.
GENERAL CONDITIONS
- Services shall be provided as requested by SCEDD. SCEDD is looking for a Contractor to assist SCEDD staff in developing a nine-county CHIPS Community Support Market Study. The participating jurisdictions include:
1) The counties of Baca, Bent, Chaffee, Crowley, Custer, Huerfano, Kiowa, Otero, and Prowers.
- The Provider shall maintain such records as are deemed necessary pursuant to the Colorado Office of Economic Development and Internation Trade agreement and SCEDD requirements to assure a proper accounting for all costs and funds collected. These records shall be submitted for audit purposes to SCEDD. The Provider shall submit financial, program progress and other reports as requested by SCEDD.
- Information provided by SCEDD shall be used only for purposes intended and in accordance with federal and state laws and regulations.
SERVICE DESCRIPTION
The services proposed by the Contractor shall be sufficient to bring each participating jurisdiction in the Region to a consistent level of preparedness with an actionable report to support the development of the local semiconductor and advanced industry ecosystems. The development of a plan shall address the need to coordinate multiple private and public efforts towards a common goal of development of local semiconductor and advanced industry initiatives. All stakeholders, including both public and private, shall be invited to participate in the project.
The creation of the plan should contemplate significant involvement from, and work provided by participating jurisdictions with direction, guidance, technical expertise, facilitation and document creation provided by the Contractor in collaboration with SCEDD.
Specifically, the plan should address (1) Local Economic Characteristics, (2) Detailed Inventory of Community Assets Relevant to Semiconductor/Advanced Industries (3) Map of the Physical Community Assets Relevant to Semiconductors/ Advanced Industries (4) Discussion of Gaps that May Have Hindered Semiconductor/ Advanced Industry Development (5) Recommendations for Next Steps and Potential Investments, and 6) Alignment with Previous Plans/Studies, if Existing.
RFP REQUIREMENTS
Vendor must respond to the following:
- A cover letter outlining the understanding of this project that includes the name, address and telephone number of the proposing Vendor. This letter must bear the signature of the person who has the authority to make the proposal for the vendor.
- Individual or Company Overview:
- A descriptive background/history.
- State principal business location and any other service locations.
- What is your primary line of business?
- How long have you been providing services?
- State how many locations where your services are now in use.
- Are you a single source provider, or will subcontractors also be used?
- Qualifications/Professional Competence/Training: Vendor must provide qualifications as well as experience information on key personnel. The Vendor should list any similar projects, including work with public/private partnerships. Vendor must submit a list of all employees that will be associated with the contract. The list must include the employees' full name and resume.
- Vendor will provide an outline for the approach to the project, with a related timeline of project milestones, draft presentation, and final deliverables.
5. References: Vendor must provide the names and telephone numbers of at least three references, with indication of project performed for each reference.
6. Cost of Services: Vendor will provide cost of service. The program has a committed dollar amount to be spent on the plan. The Vendor should detail and itemize, as much as possible, costs for each part of the plan that he/she is proposing. All costs for travel time, meetings,
mailings, printing or any reimbursable material accruals should be clearly identified on a per unit and aggregate basis. Proposal award will not be based solely on low price, but the overall best value to the Region in conjunction with all evaluation criteria.
INNOVATION AND COMMENT
Vendor may include any other information that is believed to be relevant but is not specifically asked for in this RFP. Vendor may explain in detail any innovation, alternatives, or more cost-effective approaches available in any area of the RFP. Vendor may provide suggestions of other products or services available that may assist the Region.
PAYMENT
SCEDD will approve all payments of funds for this project upon receipt of invoices. Chosen Contractor will invoice SCEDD every 30 days for work completed to date until completion of contract, subject to allowable withholding to be paid upon final project deliverables. SCEDD shall not be billed for, and reimbursement shall not be made for, time involved in activities outside of those defined in the Cost per Service.
KEY TARGET DATES
Listed below are the key target dates associated with the project described in this RFP.
Dates are approximate and may vary:
August 15, 2025- Issue Date of RFP
August 31, 2025 - Written receipt of questions due
September 15,2025 - Questions received during the question period will be emailed to all respondents, along with the answers
September 30, 2025 - RFP Due Date must be received by 5:00 p.m. MST
October 10, 2025 - Vendor Finalist Selection
VENDOR QUALIFICATIONS
Proposals will be considered only from Vendors who have experienced personnel and
necessary equipment to provide the required services. SCEDD may request information substantiating the requirements. Failure to provide this information may result in a Vendor's proposal being declared non-responsive.
WRITTEN AGREEMENT
The selected Vendor shall be required to enter into a written agreement with SCEDD. Signature on the Proposal Cover Sheet shall serve as an acknowledgement that the Vendor is willing to enter into an agreement with SCEDD if their proposal is accepted.
EVALUATION AND CONTRACT AWARD
SCEDD shall evaluate and select a Vendor to provide the required services based on the completed proposal responses. SCEDD shall be the sole judge in determining how the evaluation process shall be conducted and what Vendor should be considered for award as deemed to be in the best interest of the Region.
PREPARATION OF PROPOSALS
The proposal must be signed by a company representative authorized to bind the Vendor contractually. Failure to read the RFP and these instructions will be at Vendor’s own risk. Corrections and/or modifications received after the closing time specified will not be accepted. Vendor should include acknowledgement of receipt of addendums issued after the initial release date.
All information submitted in response to this REP is public after the award and/or contract has been executed with the successful Vendor. If Vendor includes as part of the response to the RFP any information that the Vendor believes to be a trade secret or other privileged or confidential data, the Vendor must supply under separate cover and identify as confidential. Statements that the entire proposal is confidential will not be honored. SCEDD will endeavor to keep that information confidential, separate and apart from the proposal subject to the provisions of the Colorado Open Records Act or order of court.
OMISSIONS
Should SCEDD omit information from this RFP that is necessary for a clear understanding of the work, or should it appear that various instructions are in conflict, then the
Vendor shall secure written instructions from SCEDD at least seventy-two (72) hours prior to the time and date of the proposal opening.
DEBARMENT
By submitting this proposal, the Vendor certifies that neither the company nor its principals is presently debarred, suspended, in the process of debarment, declared ineligible or voluntarily excluded from participation in this transaction by any federal state department or agency.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY
SCEDD adheres to a policy of equal opportunity and non-discrimination and will ensure that all Vendors will be treated fairly and equitably throughout the bidding process, including the advertisement, evaluation and selection stages.
COST OF DEVELOPING PROPOSALS
All costs related to the preparation of the proposals, and any related activities are the sole responsibility of the Vendor. SCEDD assumes no liability for any costs incurred by Vendors throughout the entire selection process.
PROPOSAL OWNERSHIP
All proposals, including attachments, supplementary materials, addenda, etc. shall become the property of SCEDD and participating members and will not be returned to the Vendor.
ADDITIONAL GENERAL INFORMATION & CLARIFICATION
For additional information or clarification concerning the services specified in this RFP under Scope of Work, interested parties must submit their questions or comments, in writing via email, to Leslie Mastroianni, leslie@scedd.com. Questions will be received, answered in writing, and sent via e-mail to all vendors who received the RFP or expressed interest in accordance with the dates designated in the "KEY TARGET DATES" section of this RFP. Only one copy of the proposal should be submitted.
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
Late Proposals will not be accepted or considered. It is the responsibility of the vendor to ensure that his/her Proposal is properly delivered to the required authority at the time and place designated in this RFP. SCEDD will notify unsuccessful vendors in writing or by telephone within approximately ten (10) days following the closing date for receiving Proposals. SCEDD's silence does not imply any acceptance or rejection of any quotation offer. Issuance of this RFP does not constitute a commitment by SCEDD to award a contract.
SCEDD reserves the right to reject any or all Proposals received in response to this REP, to waive minor irregularities and informalities in Proposals received, or to cancel this REP if it is in the best interest of SCEDD or Region to do so.
The Vendor agrees, if his/her Proposal is accepted by SCEDD, to furnish supplies and/or services in strict accordance with the Proposal specifications and at those prices set forth for each item in said Proposal. SCEDD is exempt from federal tax and Colorado sales tax.
SCOPE OF SERVICES AND DRAFT TIMELINE
When reviewing this scope of services, please be aware that the timeline will need to be flexible. While SCEDD wishes to be deliberate, funding deadlines and grant requirements will likely alter the sequence of this project. It is possible that SCEDD will be placed in the position of meeting funding deadlines before the plan is fully complete. While “ready, fire, aim” is not optimal, SCEDD will strive to be nimble in this unprecedented circumstance and expects its consultant to be the same.
Contractor Begins Work: No later than December 2025
Draft Report Complete: No later than September 2026
Final Report due to SCEDD: No later than October 2026
Note that SCEDD staff and Consultant will meet on a mutually agreed upon date twice a month to ensure the project is on schedule.
The Scope of Services include:
- A compilation of Local Economic Characteristics
- Detailed Inventory of Community Assets Relevant to Semiconductor/Advanced Industries
- Map of the Physical Community Assets Relevant to Semiconductors/ Advanced Industries
- Discussion of Gaps that May Have Hindered Semiconductor/ Advanced Industry Development
- Recommendations for Next Steps and Potential Investments
- Alignment with Previous Plans/Studies, if Existing.
- Market Study development will include input from stakeholders gleaned through one-on-one interviews, community workshops, or other personal interactions.
SCEDD staff will be available to assist on a limited basis.
